When Bonita Stuckey '96, '97 enrolled at Winthrop, she knew two things: She loved numbers, and she wanted to find a career that would help her provide for her young son. Support from faculty in Winthrop’s College of Business Administration, Stuckey said, helped her realize that accounting was the right choice.

“I know I wouldn’t be where I am today without Winthrop,” said Stuckey, who works for the Department of Treasury in Charlotte, N.C. The first-generation college graduate earned B.S. and M.B.A. degrees in accounting at Winthrop in just five years, then went on to become a C.P.A. She credits her advisors and professors with “always helping and guiding” her toward advanced degrees and training that improved her marketability as a young professional.

In fact, Stuckey’s positive experiences at Winthrop inspired her to give back – in more ways than one. The Rock Hill native serves as a mentor for Winthrop students and alumni.

She also established the Jones Stuckey Annual Restricted Scholarship. The scholarship provides funds for minority accounting majors, with first preference given to minority female accounting majors from York County, S.C., who maintain a 3.0 GPA. In the future, she said, she hopes to create a permanent endowment.

Stuckey, who received scholarship support during her undergraduate years, recognizes the importance of giving back and hopes that, one day, the scholarship recipients will do the same for future Winthrop students.

“It’s important to me to give back to the next generation because it’s necessary,” said Stuckey. “As you progress in life, why not give something back?”